Stevie Ray Defends Belt at Cage Warriors 63 Against Ivan Buchinger

Stevie Ray Defends Belt at Cage Warriors 63 Against Ivan Buchinger
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

Photo: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors

Newly crowned Cage Warriors lightweight Champion Stevie Ray will defend his title for the first time against Ivan Buchinger.

Ray (14-4), who trains out of Dinky Ninjas Fight Team in Scotland, captured the title after emerging victorious from CWFC’s four-man lightweight tournament at Cage Warriors 60 in London earlier this month, courtesy of wins over Jason Ball and Sean Carter.

23-year old Ray, who has finished 11 of 14 victory said:

“I’m very excited to be defending my belt on New Year’s Eve at what looks set to be the biggest Cage Warriors event of the year,”

“I wanted Buchinger next as he should have been in the tournament final, so I want to show everybody that the result would have been the same anyway. I respect him but the belt will be coming back to Scotland with me.”

His opponent, Buchinger (24-4) had been due to meet Ray in that Cage Warriors 60 tournament decider but was forced to withdraw after sustaining a rib injury during his semi-final triumph over Mick Sinclair.

The 27-year-old Slovak returns to Dublin on New Year’s Eve following a 3-0 streak this year, as he rebounded impressively from his loss to Conor McGregor on the same date at The Helix in 2012.

Buchinger, who has 20 finishes in 24 victories,  returns to Dublin on New Year’s Eve following a 3-0 streak this year, as he rebounded impressively from his loss to Conor McGregor on the same date at The Helix in 2012. Of Buchinger's 4 career losses, 3 have come to UFC fighter - Akira Corrassani, Anton Kuivanen, and Conor McGregor respectively.

Buchinger said: “I’m glad to be getting the shot at the belt that I earned at Cage Warriors 60 and I’m looking forward to coming back to Dublin to try to make amends for my last fight there.

“Steven Ray is a deserving champion but I am determined to take that belt from him on New Year’s Eve. I’m very excited about the opportunity.”

Cage Warriors 63 takes place on New Years Eve, at The Helix in the Irish capital of Dublin., with the Cage Warriors featherweight title also on the line with Jim Alers defending his belt against Graham Turner.